Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements. These relocations are in areas where the City has previously allowed utilities but due to this project there is a need to relocate them at the City's expense. Utility relocation estimates are normally included in the budget for each project but occasionally estimates are insufficient and not always within the City's control. This legislation provides a source of funding for unnamed utility relocations in order to provide for quick turnaround of these relocations once the utility and project are determined.
City Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify the utility companies that will receive the reimbursements and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for such reimbursements. This Council is satisfied it is in the best interests of the City to delegate this reimbursement decision.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a budgeted expense in the amount of $100,000.00 in the Department of Public Service’s 2018 Capital Improvement Budget, Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Project 530161-100070 (Roadway Improvements - Utility Relocation Reimbursements).
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Public Service is requesting emergency designation so as to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain project construction schedules.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to reimburse various utilities for utility relocation costs incurred in conjunction with Public Service capital improvement projects; to authorize the expenditure of up to $100,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is vitally concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the City as such rights-of-way represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare, including the economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for yet to be determined projects in order to provide for quick turnaround of utility relocation work; and
WHEREAS, funding was budgeted for this purpose and is available for use in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to reimburse various utilities for utility relocation costs incurred in conjunction with Public Service capital improvement projects at the earliest possible time in order to maintain project schedules, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for capital improvement projects to be determined.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bonds Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530161 (Roadway Improvements), in Object Class 06 (Capital Improvements) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That City Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify the utilities to whom the reimbursements will be paid and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for such reimbursements. This Council is satisfied it is in the best interests of the City to delegate this reimbursement decision.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the mayor, or ten days after passage if the mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.